Women's training camp kicks off on the Gold Coast

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The first women's training camp of the year will assemble on the Gold Coast this weekend ahead of a busy year for female rugby league players, which includes State Competitions, a State of Origin match, National Championships, a Test Match and the inaugural Women's Premiership.

The camp will welcome 52 players from around the country, with players set to complete a series of fitness tests and trials, as well as gain a further understanding of the pathways and competitions ahead.

NRL Elite Programs Manager and Harvey Norman Jillaroos Coach, Brad Donald, said he was looking forward to welcoming the women into camp and commencing official preparations for season 2018.

"It's a really exciting time for women's rugby league and we've had some fantastic wins for women in league recently," Mr Donald said.

"In December last year – the same month the Jillaroos won the Rugby League World Cup – we announced the formation of our first Women's Premiership, taking place at the back-end of this year.

"The camp this weekend will provide an opportunity to continue training and preparations for a big season ahead."

The camp will double as an opportunity for players from Australia to be selected for one of 40 marquee contracted positions for season 2018.

Donald and his team will also use the camp to select an Australian squad to compete at the upcoming Rugby League 2018 Commonwealth Championship, to be played at Redcliffe on 23 and 24 February.

The Championship takes place in the lead up to the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and will see Australia compete against teams including Fiji, Samoa, Canada, Cook Islands and Tonga in a nine-a-side tournament.